SL army gains control over Visuamadu town

Continuing their string of successes against the LTTE, Sri Lankan forces gained total control over Visuamadu town, the nerve centre of the Tamil Tigers' artillery power, and captured a 35-feet submarine-type craft as well as other vessels.

Continuing their string of successes against the LTTE, Sri Lankan forces on Thursday gained total control over Visuamadu town, the nerve centre of the Tamil Tigers' artillery power, and captured a 35-feet submarine-type craft as well as other vessels.

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Troops of 58 Division gained control over the Visuamadu town in the final phase of operations against the LTTE after hours of fierce fighting with the rebels, security sources said.

Initial search and clearing operations are being conducted in Visuamadu, one of the last bastions of the Tamil Tigers', they said.

The capture of Visuamadu town came four days after the Army gained control over the coastal town of Mullaittivu, headquarters of 'Sea Tigers', the coastal wing of LTTE.

According to military sources, troops have also gained control over a 10-km stretch of the road, running North of Visuamadu via Puliyampokkanai towards Chundikkulama.

Troops are now engaged in mopping up the remaining LTTE resistances south of Visuamadu and Piramanthal Kulama, the Defence Ministry said.

The army also found two 20-feet crafts and a single person craft in Muttiyankattukulam south west of Pudukuduyirruppu, one of the last bastions of the LTTE.

Meanwhile, the military claimed that LTTE fighters continued firing heavy artillery towards security forces from the declared civilian safety region.